It reported $25.3 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2013, up from $23.3 billion last year. Its stock price has been at all-time highs for weeks, trading Friday morning on the New York Stock Exchange for $68.58 a share. It has solidified its relationship with Oregon, as it begins preliminary construction work on an expansion at its World Headquarters campus near Beaverton in Washington County.

As is his routine, Knight emceed a brief question and answer session for top Nike executives on a stage in the Tiger Woods Center, reading questions posed by shareholders. The last question was pitched to Knight.

"Phil," Knight began, "Do you think this is the year for the Ducks to win the big one?"

Knight's passion for the Oregon Ducks football team is well chronicled. His Oregon track coach (and company co-founder) Bill Bowerman was a former football coach. In Nike's formative years, Knight has said he did not have much time to follow the ups and downs of Ducks football. That changed in the mid-1990s as Knight, and Nike, began to serve the Ducks in a big way, outfitting the team in an ever-changing array of uniforms and also offering the team the latest in the company's performance products for football.

Knight has invested plenty in the football team's fortunes. He also is clearly invested emotionally as he is a regular sight at games and other team functions.

So, will they win the BCS National Championship?

"Maybe," Knight told the shareholders and the assembled board of directors.

He then rattled off the Ducks' recent history of heartbreak.

"It's obviously my favorite team. (They) missed winning the National Championship by 3 points three years ago, missed getting into a national championship by a field goal two years ago, (and) they missed getting into a national championship by a field goal a year ago and they have better players this year than any time in the last four years.

"So, they got a chance. But you got to be a little bit lucky, too. If they do, I'll be there."